Pastor Harvey Crowell described the 1898 church as “a beautiful and churchly structure” which “served the needs of the Congregation for twenty-five years and stands pre-eminent in the religious life and history of the community.”

But the longer life expectancy was not to be.  In March 1913, from 9 to 11 inches of rain fell throughout the Miami Valley.  Four rain swollen rivers converging in Dayton caused heavy loss of life and extensive property damage. (See  “From Doom to Resurrection”).  The construction of a dry reservoir in the Mad river valley to prevent reoccurrence of flooding seemingly doomed the village and the church.  In 1915 the Miami Conservancy District paid about $22,000 for the Lutheran Church and parsonage. Since the Conservancy permitted the congregation to continue worshipping in its church for a number of years for an annual rental fee of $50, there was time to invest the money at 4 ½ % and 5% interest.

Each family had to relocate; decisions for all were a heavy, stressful and worrisome burden. Many church families moved. It took much courage to commit to the building of a church in the “new” Osborn with a waning, anxious and financially concerned membership. It was in 1920 that 46 members unanimously approved a resolution to start again in the new place.

Architect Robert C. Gotwald, of Springfield, drew plans for a Tudor-Gothic structure on the corner of Main Street and Pleasant Avenue.  The F.W. Hamm Contractor and Builder became the main contractor for the first major building in the new town.   The cost of the church construction was approximately $40,000.

The last regular service in the old church was on Sunday, Dec. 16, 1923, at which time communion was administered.  Many former members came for the farewell service. The first service in the new church was held in the basement on Sunday, Dec. 23, 1923. The adjacent St. Mary’s Help of Christian’s Catholic Church gifted electrical power through its meter so St. Mark’s might have power on that occasion.

Gotwald, who had an especial pride in the designing of churches, had made “a particular study of Lutheran architecture and the rich symbolism which it affords.” The church was built of Kenilworth brick on matte surface with shades of brown predominating.  The trimming was of Bedford stone.

The church at that time consisted of the west narthex, and the sanctuary, with balcony.  At the rear of the nave was a Sunday school area with a children’s chapel.  Under the sanctuary was a large room used for social occasions and Sunday school classes.  Under the upstairs Sunday school area was the kitchen and the pastor’s office.  Pastor Crowell wrote, “The seating capacity of the nave is not large, but the wide aisles lend the idea of spaciousness, and when the Sunday school rooms and balcony are thrown open, the Church will seat about 500.”  At the end of the first year in the new location, the communing membership was 99.

In his cornerstone remarks, Pastor Crowell made comments about the four-panel Resurrection window over the altar.  He also stated, “the windows are of European Antique Art Glass.  They harmonize with the Gothic style of the building.”  Other historical sources indicate that the chancel window was a gift of the Ladies Aid Society in honor of their pastor.  Some members recall being told that the funds for this window were donated by the pastor.  Perhaps he made a major gift through the woman’s group.

The building construction was complete prior to the dedication of palm Sunday, April 13, 1924.  The Rev. Paul W. Koller, D.D., president of the Synod of Ohio, preached the sermon and there was also an address by the Rev. E. F. Ritter, D.D., Toledo, Ohio.  A dinner was served immediately at the close of the 10:30 a.m. service.  There was also a 2:30 p.m. service which featured greetings from former pastors.  The day closed with a 7 p.m. Vesper service in which Dr. Rees Edgar Tulloss, president of Wittenberg College, preached.

Because of the money the congregation had received from the Conservancy district and the interest it had accrued, loans on the building in 1923 had been reduced to about $10,000.  Even that amount proved to be a burden for the congregation.  When the Rev. Paul Weihl became pastor of the church in April 1937, there were 118 communing members and a debt of $8,000.  That mortgage was finally burned on Jan. 31, 1943.

The determination of the small congregation translated its faith into the bricks, mortar, windows, and doors of the house of worship known today as St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church.  After all the difficulties and set backs, the members could not foresee that they were on the cusp of another type of struggle — a growing membership putting increasing pressure on existing space.